15 Percent Tax Hike Proposed

PEMBROKE PINES -- City commissioners stayed the ax at the first of four scheduled workshops Monday , allowing for proposed increases in general and utility funds.

Commissioners are deciding during the budget workshops whether to reduce items in City Manager Woody Hampton`s proposed $54.3 million budget.

The proposed budget calls for a 15 percent increase in property taxes. Under the proposal, the owner of a home assessed at $75,000 and eligible for the $25,000 homestead exemption would pay $142 in taxes, an increase from $124.

Some of the additional money would pay for a proposed increase in the Police Department budget, up to $5 million from $4.9 million.

Police Chief John Tighe proposed adding four new members to his staff. City commisioners tentatively approved the request with the understanding that the sergeant would be promoted from within the force.

The Fire Department also could see an increase in its budget -- from $3.6 million to $4.3 million.

Those increases include overall operating costs, payment on a fire truck purchased several years ago and six additional firefighters.

The next budget workshop is scheduled for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Commissioners will discuss budgets for the Recreation Department, the golf and racquet club, parks maintenance and utilities.